Stephen Weiss

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = Stephen Weiss 2012-03-09.JPG

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Weiss with the Florida Panthers in 2012

| position = Centre

| shoots = Left

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 185

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|4|3|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| draft = 4th overall

| draft_year = 2001

| draft_team = Florida Panthers

| played_for = Florida Panthers
Detroit Red Wings

| career_start = 2001

| career_end = 2015

}}

Stephen Weiss (born April 3, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who most recently played for the Detroit Red Wings, as well as the Florida Panthers, who drafted him fourth overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Weiss holds Panthers franchise records for games played and led the franchise in assists when he retired.

Early life

Weiss was born on April 3, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario,{{cite web |title=Stephen Weiss |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8817/stephen-weiss |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=February 3, 2025}} to parents Karl and Linda.{{cite web |title=Weiss scores 2 goals, including the go-ahead goal, as Panthers beat Canadiens 4-2 |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/weiss-scores-2-goals-including-the-go-ahead-goal-as-panthers-beat-canadiens-4-2 |publisher=The Hockey News |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=February 26, 2012}} Growing up, he was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Brendan |title=Detroit Red Wings Q&A: Stephen Weiss on the Sunshine State, superstitions and changing OT |url=https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2015/02/detroit_red_wings_qa_stephen_w.html |website=mlive.com |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=February 12, 2015}} As Weiss' uncle Steve Spott was friends with National Hockey League player Adam Graves, he also grew up idolizing the forward.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=It's Weiss against his role model |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-its-weiss-ag/164605386/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=November 17, 2022|via=newspapers.com}}

Playing career

=Plymouth Whalers=

Weiss played his major junior career with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), recording statistics that impressed scouts and made him one of the highest-ranked skaters in the North American Central Scouting Report. In his rookie season, Weiss recorded 66 points, impressive enough for placement on the OHL First All-Rookie Team.{{cite news |title=Red Line Report spotlight: Stephen Weiss |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columns/kyle/113000.htm |accessdate=November 3, 2010 |date=November 30, 2000 |work=USA Today}} Weiss continued to post eye-popping numbers in his sophomore season by recording 87 points and earning a top-five position among North American skaters.{{cite news |title=Panthers 2001 draft evaluation|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/8822/panthers2001_draft_evaluation/ |accessdate=November 3, 2010 |date=June 8, 2006 |work=Hockeysfuture.com }}

As a result of his junior accolades, Weiss was drafted fourth overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite news |title=2001 NHL Draft Results – Round 1 |url=http://www.mynhldraft.com/2001 |accessdate=November 6, 2010 |date=June 28, 2001 |work=mynhldraft.com}} He returned to the Whalers in 2001–02, and although his point totals decreased from the previous year, he posted a respectable 70 points.{{cite magazine |title=Q&A with Panthers C Stephen Weiss |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/17/weiss_qanda/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040509115913/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/17/weiss_qanda/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 9, 2004 |accessdate=November 6, 2010 |date=September 10, 2002 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

=Florida Panthers (2001-2013)=

After the Plymouth Whalers were eliminated from the 2002 OHL playoffs, Weiss signed a professional tryout agreement to finish the 2001–02 season with the Panthers.{{cite news |title=Panthers sign Weiss and Krajicek to deals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-panthers-sign-weiss-and/164606130/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Times Herald |date=April 17, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} He made his NHL debut on April 2, 2002, his 19th birthday, and scored his first NHL goal that night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Happy day to teen center Weiss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-happy-day-to/164605835/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=April 4, 2002|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Panthers rally past Penguins |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-panthers-rally-past-peng/164605866/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Stuart News |date=April 4, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} He added one assist over the next six games before suffering a knee injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 14.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Insult to injury: Weiss hurts knee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-insult-to-inj/164605693/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=April 15, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} Two days later, Weiss signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers.

Due to his knee injury, Weiss was limited in his offseason training and only began skating in July. He also gained weight during his rehabilitation and began the Panthers' 2002 training camp at 180 pounds.{{cite news |last1=Emanuel Jr |first1=Bob |title=Weiss: 'This is my year' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-weiss-this-is-my-year/164605792/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=July 12, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} During the Panthers preseason games, head coach Mike Keenan and general manager Rick Dudley expressed their concerns about his ability to play at the NHL level.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Erratic play in defeat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-erratic-play/164605095/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=September 20, 2002|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Spencer |first1=Donna |title=Their future is now |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-times-their-future-is-now/164605346/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Sun Times |date=October 9, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} Weiss began the 2002–03 season with the Panthers and tallied two assists over his first three games.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=David J. |title=Panthers release Weiss on a transition-filled day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-panthers-release-weiss/164605658/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=October 17, 2002}} While he was originally informed he would be returned to the Whalers on 16 October, after his third game, Keenan reversed his decision the following day.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=David J. |title=Weiss sticks around |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-weiss-sticks-around/164605297/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=October 18, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} This act drew backlash from members of the media and Weiss' agent who criticized Keenan for playing "mind games" with a young player.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Keenan games begin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-keenan-games-begin/164605949/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=October 18, 2002|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Weiss caught unaware |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-weiss-caught-unaware/164606006/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=October 18, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} By the end of October, Weiss had tallied three assists and no points over seven games.{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Neil |title=Panther survives demotion scare |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-panther-survives-demot/164605746/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Vancouver Sun |date=October 30, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} In December, Hockey Canada asked the Panthers to release Weiss so he could represent Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, but the Panthers refused.{{cite news |title=Ozolinsh a good bet for All-Stars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-ozolinsh-a-go/164606056/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=December 5, 2002|via=newspapers.com}} Weiss was chosen to represent the Panthers at the 2003 National Hockey League YoungStars Game, where he scored two goals and an assist.{{cite news |last1=Fialkov |first1=Harvey |title=Young Panthers make their mark |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-young-panther/164609553/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=February 2, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} After playing in 58 consecutive games, Weiss was forced to miss his first game of the season in mid-February due to a broken toe.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Weiss (toe), Bure (knee) stay home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-weiss-toe-bure-k/164609714/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=February 18, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} Weiss finished his rookie season with six goals and 15 assists through 77 games. While Keenan encouraged him to spend the offseason solely working with the Panthers' strength and conditioning coach, Weiss agreed to split his time between his personal trainer in Toronto and South Florida.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Weiss cites lessons learned |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-weiss-cites-lessons/164609597/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=March 31, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} Keenan was specifically concerned with Weiss' small size and threatened to return Weiss to his junior team if he arrived at training camp unprepared for the season.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=David J. |title=Weiss becomes aware of weight of offseason |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-weiss-becomes-aware-of/164609495/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=April 1, 2003|via=newspapers.com}}

In part due to the signing of Nathan Horton, Weiss was reassigned to the Panthers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, to start the 2003–04 season.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Horton's gain is Weiss' loss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-hortons-gain/164610049/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=October 7, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} He quickly led the team in scoring with four goals and two assists through his first eight games.{{cite news |title=Streaking Weiss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-streaking-weiss/164609787/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=October 27, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} Weiss returned to the Panthers lineup on November 7 after tallying nine points over his 10-game stint.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Hard work earn Weiss call-up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-hard-work-ear/164609062/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=November 8, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} He scored his first goal of the season that night to lead the Panthers to a 6–3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite news |title=Panthers prowl home ice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-panthers-prowl-hom/164609912/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The News and Observer |date=November 8, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} After Keenan was fired on November 9, Weiss was promoted to the Panthers' second line with Valeri Bure and Kristian Huselius.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Producing On Line Two |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-producing-on-line-tw/164609868/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=November 24, 2003|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=David J. |title=Bure, Weiss a suprise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-bure-weiss-a-suprise/164609423/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=December 3, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} By the end of November, Weiss had tallied seven goals and five assists over 11 games.{{cite news |title=Doghouse No-More |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-doghouse/164610172/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=Portland Press Herald |date=November 30, 2003|via=newspapers.com}} Weiss, Bure, and Huselius became a dependable trio for the Panthers throughout November and December. By early January, Weiss led the three with 16 points and tied Bure with eight goals.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=David J. |title=Numbers that count |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-numbers-that-count/164614907/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=January 5, 2004|via=newspapers.com}} However, numerous injuries suffered over the second half of the season limited Weiss to only 50 games. His first injury occurred on February 1, 2004, due to a knee-on-knee collision during a game against the New York Islanders.{{cite web |title=Panthers lose Weiss for 4-6 weeks |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/panthers-lose-weiss-for-4-6-weeks-1.467316 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=February 2, 2004}} He then suffered a broken tibia at the end of March after blocking a shot from Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Hill.{{cite news |title=Panthers Win One, Lose More |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2004/03/30/panthers-win-one-lose-more/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=March 30, 2004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250203184129/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2004/03/30/panthers-win-one-lose-more/ |archive-date=February 3, 2025}} At the time of the injury, Weiss ranked third on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 17 assists.{{cite news |title=Panthers vs Lightning |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-panthers-vs-lightnin/164616138/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=April 1, 2004|via=newspapers.com}}

Weiss underwent leg surgery during the offseason and skated for the first time since March on September 26, 2004.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=San Antonio stint is fine by Weiss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-san-antonio-s/164617333/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=October 4, 2004|via=newspapers.com}} While recovering, the NHL entered into a lockout with its players and cancelled the 2004–05 NHL season. However, since Weiss was still on his entry-level contract, he was eligible to play in the AHL during the lockout.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Panthers-laden AHL Rampage opens season tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-panthers-laden-ahl-r/164617627/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=October 15, 2004|via=newspapers.com}} Through the Rampage's first 12 games, Weiss led the team with three goals and eight assists.{{cite news |title=Panthers update |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-panthers-update/164618036/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=November 14, 2004|via=newspapers.com}} He was swiftly promoted to the Rampage's top line with Juraj Kolnik and Gregory Campbell and finished December with seven goals and 13 assists.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Panthers' AHL team struggling |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-panthers-ahl-team-s/164618288/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=December 29, 2004|via=newspapers.com}} He scored consistently throughout the remainder of the season and led the team with 15 goals and 23 assists through 62 games. Despite his efforts, however, the Rampage still failed to qualify for the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs. As such, Weiss and Bouwmeester were loaned to the second-place Chicago Wolves for the remainder of the season to gain experience in the postseason.{{cite news |title=Panthers bolster another organization's AHL team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-journal-panthers-bolster-another/164622268/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=Record-Journal |date=March 9, 2005|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Berlet |first1=Bruce |title=Keenan Sells Rampage, Fans Short |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-keenan-sells-rampage-f/164622568/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=March 18, 2005|via=newspapers.com}} After being held scoreless in his debut on March 11, Weiss recorded six goals and eight assists through the next 12 straight games.{{cite news |title=Weiss on a point-a-game run |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-weiss-on-a-point/164622818/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Hamilton Spectator |date=April 6, 2005|via=newspapers.com}} He finished the regular season with seven goals and nine assists for Chicago to help the Wolves clinch their franchise's first West Division title. In his first professional postseason, Weiss recorded two goals and seven assists en route to the 2005 Calder Cup Finals.{{cite web |title=Alumni Spotlight: Stephen Weiss |url=http://chicagowolves.com/features/2065-alumni-spotlight-stephen-weiss |publisher=American Hockey League |access-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121233516/http://www.chicagowolves.com/features/2065-alumni-spotlight-stephen-weiss |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |date=July 6, 2010}}

File:Stephen Weiss.jpg

When the NHL returned for the 2005–06 season, Weiss re-signed with the Panthers as a restricted free agent.{{cite news |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/12/sports/transactions.html |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The New York Times |date=August 12, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529181108/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/12/sports/transactions.html |archive-date=May 29, 2015}} While he started as the Panthers third-line centerman, he was promoted to the first line following an injury to Joe Nieuwendyk. In this role, he ranked fourth on the team in scoring with four goals and five assists.{{cite news |last1=Biggane |first1=Brian |title=Coaches, players see improvement |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-coaches-players-see/164618477/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=November 14, 2005|via=newspapers.com}} However, his season was cut short due to a wrist injury that required surgery. At the time of the injury, he was tied for fourth on the team in scoring with nine goals and 21 points.{{cite news|last1=Volin|first1=Ben|title=Weiss will have surgery on wrist |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-weiss-will-have-surg/164637254/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=January 11, 2006|via=newspapers.com}} He stayed out of the Panthers lineup for the remainder of the season but practiced with the team in April in case they qualified for the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.{{cite news|last1=Richards|first1=George|title=Weiss primed for big season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-weiss-primed-for-big-se/164638134/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=September 15, 2006|via=newspapers.com}} After failing to qualify for the playoffs, the Panthers signed Weiss to a one-year contract extension.{{cite news |title=Hockey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-hockey/164638281/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=The Saginaw News |date=July 15, 2006}}

The following season, Weiss returned to the Panthers lineup, but again missed significant time due to knee and shoulder injuries. He then signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers during the off-season.{{cite web |title=Panthers ink Weiss to extension |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/panthers-ink-weiss-to-extension-1.690658 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=August 23, 2007}} Weiss, looking to improve on his showing, followed up his efforts by recording 13 goals and 29 assists in 74 games, despite missing time due to the flu and shoulder injuries.

The 2008–09 season was seen as a break-out year for Weiss, as he flourished under new head coach Peter DeBoer, his former coach in the OHL. In that year, he played a career-high 78 games and recorded a career-high 47 assists. Weiss was also able to stay healthy, despite missing four games with a groin injury. The following season, Weiss continued his pace by recording a career-high 28 goals along with 32 assists in a career-high 80 games. In 2010–11, Weiss saw his production dip to 49 points, however, and he became a target of recurring trade rumours throughout the year.

On February 23, 2012, Weiss set a franchise record by playing in his 614th game in a Panthers jersey. He was honoured in a ceremony on February 26, 2012, before a home game against the Montreal Canadiens; he scored two goals that night, including the game winner.{{cite web |title=Weiss scores a pair, guides Panthers past Habs |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/florida-panthers-montreal-canadiens-recap-feb26/ |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=February 27, 2012}} After 637 career games without a postseason appearance, Weiss helped the Panthers qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 1999–2000 season.{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Panthers' Stephen Weiss on finally making NHL playoffs for 1st time in 10-year career |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/panthers-stephen-weiss-finally-making-nhl-playoffs-1st-024442974.html |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=April 5, 2012}} He scored his first two postseason goals in Game 4 to lead the Panthers over the New Jersey Devils in Game 4.{{cite web |title=Rats thrown on ice as Panthers even series |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/florida-panthers-new-jersey-devils-game-2-recap/ |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=April 16, 2012}} He finished with three goals and two assists in the Panthers' seven-game series loss to the Devils in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals.

=Detroit Red Wings (2013-2015)=

File:Stephen Weiss Wings 131101.png

On July 5, 2013, Weiss signed a five-year, $24.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web |last1=Roose |first1=Bill |title=Alfie, Weiss excited for opportunity |url=http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676935 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709205910/http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676935 |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |date=July 5, 2013}} With jersey number 9 retired by Detroit, Weiss switched to number 90.{{cite tweet|user=DetroitRedWings|number=357237029941157890|title=Confirmed: Stephen Weiss to wear number 90 & Wings agreed to terms on 2-year deal with Brendan Smith|date=July 16, 2013}} During Weiss' first season with the Red Wings, he was limited to just 26 games due to a hernia injury and subsequent surgery.{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Chris |title=Red Wings' Stephen Weiss has surgery, out until after Olympics |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/red-wings-stephen-weiss-has-surgery-out-until-after-olympics/ |publisher=CBS Sports |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=December 23, 2013}} He was assigned to the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, to start the 2014–15 season but was recalled back to the NHL on October 30, 2014.{{cite web |title=Red Wings recall forward Weiss from AHL |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=736940 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141121161219/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=736940 |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |date=October 30, 2014}}

On June 30, 2015, the Red Wings bought out the final three years of Weiss's contract, releasing him to free agency.{{cite web| url = http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2015/06/30/detroit-red-wings-stephen-weiss/29530727/ | title = Wings buyout forward Stephen Weiss | work=Detroit Free Press | date = 2015-06-30 | accessdate = 2015-06-30}}

International play

Weiss represented Team Canada at the 2002 IIHF World U20 Championships. He recorded a goal and three assists and earned a silver medal as Canada lost to Russia in the gold medal game.